Bellevue Defers Small Business Taxes During Coronavirus Outbreak

BELLEVUE, WA — Bellevue will give some small businesses the option to defer tax payments in an effort to help them survive during the area's ongoing new coronavirus outbreak, the city announced Monday.

The city will allow businesses with gross receipts under $5 million to defer their first- and second-quarter local business and occupation tax payments until October. Larger businesses can request to defer their own tax payments for up to 90 days, the city said.

“Our local businesses are key to our vitality as a city and we do not intend to lose them,” Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson said in a statement. “We know they are hurting as a result of the necessary actions taken to slow the spread of COVID-19, and we are exploring ways to help at the local level.”

The city also reminded business owners that the U.S. Small Business Administration has opened applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses that are suffering from losses related to COVID-19.

Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the state would grant up to $5 million for small businesses that have been affected by the outbreak.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan halted all evictions for small businesses in the city last week. No such policy has been announced in Bellevue.

More details about Bellevue's tax deferral policy are available on the city's website.

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